Fluid dispensing apparatus



F. M. SPAYD April 18, 1939.

FLUID DISPENSING APPARATUS h Filed May 6, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet l April18, 1939. F. M. SPAYD I FLUID DISPENSING APPARATUS Filed May 6, 1936 2Sheets-Sheet 2 Il n- 9 7 54 TC a 7 6 N a 2 5 8 8 53 5 j y Q6 6 y a; w/ mM 7 4,,J s w ham 4 M Patented Apr. 18, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE10 Claims.

This invention relates to the dispensing of beverages or other liquids.

One object of the invention is the provision of a closure means for kegsor other fluid containers, wherein the closure member is moved inwardlyinto the container on the end of a tap rod or the like that is employedto move the closure member to and from its closure position, the partsbeing such as to provide a dependable construction that can be reliedupon to operate in the manner intended.

Another object of the inventionis the provision of a closure means forcontainers of the character mentioned, in which there is provisioninsuring the connection of the tap rod to the closure member at apredetermined point in the releasing movements of the closure member.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an attachment orfitting including a bung body portion and a closure membertherefor'which is adapted for operation by a tap rod or the like thetwoparts being interconnected by a readily detachable connection. I

Another object of the invention is the provision of a device of thecharacter mentioned including a bung body or the like and a closuremember therefor, the latter being separable from the bung body and atthe same time positively locked to a tap rod which is employed tooperate and carry the closure member, the locking engagement being suchas to insure the complete closure of the container with which the deviceis :used before the tap rod can be separated.

Other objects and advantages of the invention 7 will be apparent fromthe following description, the appended claims and the accompanyingdrawings, in which a Fig. 1 -is a vertical central section through a kegembodying the present invention, a portion 0 of the tap rod and tap rodfitting being shown in elevation;

Fig. 2 is a detail side elevation showing the end of the tap rod; I IFig. 3-is a central vertical section showing a pm part of the bung bodymember, the tap rod and sired material.

Fig. 7 is a side elevation of the closure member;

Fig.8 is a corresponding end view thereof;

Fig. 9 is a section on the line 99 of Fig. 8; and

Fig. 10 is a side elevation of the closure member viewed at 90 from Fig.7.

Referring more particularly to the drawings by reference numerals, l0designates a container for beverages or for other fluid materials to bestored and dispensed. This container can be of any suitable form and canbe made of any de- As herein shown, however, the invention is disclosedwith reference to a keg adapted to contain beer, for example. Such a kegordinarily has a bung opening in an end wall, the bung opening beingadapted to receive a hung or valved closure, the liquid being withdrawnthrough a tap rod which is extended into the contents of the keg throughthe opening or passage in the bung. Ordinarily, when the tap rod iswithdrawn, the passage through the bung is opened, thus placing thecontents of the keg in communication with the outside air and permittingentrance of dirt and foreign matter into the keg and also, in case thecontents of the keg are only partially consumed, permitting the loss ofpressure. In accordance with the present invention, however, the keg orother container is provided with a bung portion, which is preferablyalthough not necessarily separable from the body of the container, and aclosure member is provided, .of such character that the closure memberseals the passage through the bung portion when the tap rod iswithdrawn, thus maintaining the pressure existing in a container thecontents of which have not been entirely consumed, and permitting theshipment of empty containers without the possibility of fouling theinterior of the container.

As herein shown, the end wall ll of the keg is provided with a bung bodymember I2, preferably in the form of a metal casting. This body memberis a fitting adapted to be readily fastened in place in the end wall H,being provided with exterior threads l3 permitting the body member to bereadily applied. The body member is adapted to be quickly and readilyconnected in a detachable manner with the end of a suitable tap fittingor attachment. An attachment that can be effected merely by a rotationalmovement is especially desirable. As shown in Figs. 4 and 5, the outerside of the body member is provided with a recess or grooved portion [4provided between the inner annular wall [5 and the flanged portion l6and suitably formed to provide a bayonet depression adapted to receivethe bayonet end I! of a suitable fitting illustrated in Fig. 1 anddesignated generally by the reference numeral l8. This fitting isprovided with opposed arms l9 extending downwardly therefrom and adaptedto be received in the slotted portions 23 in the annular wall [5 of thebung body, and adapted to underlie the outwardly extending projections2| on this wall when turned through a part of a revolution. As will beapparent, the fitting l8 can thus be applied to the outer side of thebung body by a combined axial and turning movement. A rotatable nut 22can then be turned to draw the seat portion. of the fitting tightlyagainst the end of the wall 'I 5.

The fitting i8 is preferably provided with a suitable pressure pipe 23;and a sealing nut 24 adapted to receive the elongated hollow tap rod 25which extends axially through the fitting l8 and down into the keg, thelower end of the tap rod being in communication with the interior of thekeg so that the contents can be withdrawn by reason of the pressuresupplied'to the keg interior through the gas supply pipe 2 3 The lattersupplies carbon dioxide or other gas along the interior passage of thefitting 18 as will be readily understood, loss of gas being prevented bysuitable packing material compressed bythe rotatable nut 24 against thetap rod.

The axial passage 29 through the body member I 2, at the upper portionthereof is preferably only a little larger in diameter than the outsidediameter of the tap rod 25. This passage however is considerably largerin diameter below the threaded portion of the body member, the latterhaving a cylindrical wall 35 extending down wardly and having a finishedradially extending seat surface 3|, see Fig. 6. This seat surface isadapted to be engaged by a sealing washer or ring 32, preferably ofmetal, this ring being car ried by the seat portion or flange 33 of aclosure member designated generally by the reference numeral 34. Thisclosure member, when applied to the bung body member I2 closes the axialpassage through the body member and hermetically seals the interior ofthe container. The construction is such that it can be applied to thebung body member l2 by means of the tap rod, and when it is removed fromthe body member it is carried by the lower end of the tap rod, to whichit is then secured.

The construction of the body member l2 and the closure member 34 ispreferably of such chard acter that the latter can be applied so as toseal the former by rotational movements of the closure member throughonly a part of a complete revolution. As herein shown these two partsare connected by a bayonet attachment, the body member I2 having a pairof opposed fiangesor projections 36 each extending throughout somewhatless than a quarter of a circumference, and projecting inwardly from thewall 30 of the bung body, as will be apparent from Figs. 4 and 6. Theupper sides of these projections are .inclined and are adapted to beengaged by the pair of opposed camming projections 38 that are arrangedon the closure member 34. Each of thecamming projections 38 has aninclined camming surface 39, adapted for operation over the upperinclined surfaces of the projections 36 on the bung body. Theprojections 38' on the closure member 34 also extend through somewhatless than a quarter of the circumference of the hollow wall 40 whichprojects upwardly from the comparatively flat bottom wall 4| of theclosure member.

As will be understood the closure member 34 can be applied by moving thesame upwardly when its projections 38 are arranged at substantially 90from the projections 36 on the bung body member, the closure member thenbeing rotated through about 90 to tightly close the seat portions ofthese parts together, exerting a compressing force on the copper orother sealing ring or washer 32.

As previously mentioned, the closure member 34 is adapted to be operatedby the end of the tap rod, or by a suitable special rod having theproper end shape. The tap rod 25, at the lower end thereof is preferablyshaped as shown in Fig. 2. Near its tip, the tap rod has a non-circularportion, herein shown as of hexagonal form, as designated by referencenumeral 44. Several openings close to the end wall 45 of the tap rodpermit the flow of liquid into the passage extending through the taprod. Just above the hexagonal portion 44, the tap rod is grooved or cutaway as indicated at 41 providing a flange or shoulder portion 48.

The closure member 34 is also provided with a non-circular portionadapted for cooperation with the hexagonal portion 44 of the tap rod,the hexagonal opening being of such size as to freely receive thecorrespondingly shaped portion of the tap rod for free endwise movement, but restraining the parts, when thus telescoped one in the other,against any substantial rotational movements with respect to oneanother. It will thus be apparent that the end of the tap rod may beinserted through the passage in the bung portion of the container, sothat its hexagonal portion 44 is received in the cor respondingly shapedportion of the closure member, and the tap rod can then be rotated about90 to effect the release of the closure member from its sealingengagement with the body member l2. Before the release of the closuremember from the body member I2 is effected, however, the closure memberis attached to the end of the tap rod, and therefore remains on thelower end of the tap rod which is then projected further through thebung body until the bottom of the closure member rests on the bottomwall of the keg, this position being illustrated in Fig. 1. In thisposition the liquid can be withdrawn from a point very close to butspaced at little distance from the bottom wall of the keg through theseveral holes 52 which extend preferably radially through the wall 4!!of the closure member. Since the holes 45 in the tap rod aresubstantially at its lower end, almost the entire contents of the kegcan be Withdrawn although a very small portion of the contents remainin' order that any sediment-containing liquid will not be consumed.

The end of the tap rod is automatically connected to the closure memberat a predetermined time in the opening movements of the closure member,and preferably in a positive manner that will insure the completesealing of the keg or container before the tap rod can be removed.Preferably the connection or latching of the tap rod to the closuremember is effected during the initial opening movements, and thedisconnection of the tap rod from the closure member is effected duringor after the completion of the effective closing movements of theclosure member.

As herein shown, the closure member is provided with a plurality oflatch members 56, pivotallysupported at 51 and mounted for rockingmovements in radial notches 58 in the annular wall 46 of the closuremember. Suitable means are provided to normally hold or tend to hold thelatches 56 in the position shown in Fig. 9, the lower end of the latcheshaving small holes 58 receiving the ends of wire springs 59 whichtension the lower ends of the latches inwardly. These springs may bemounted on vertical pins or studs 60 and are arranged in an annulargroove 6| in the wall 4!]. They thus tend to hold the latching ends 63over the flange 48 of the tap rod, when the closure member is not in itssealing position. With the latches 56 in engagement with the tap rod, asshown in Fig. 3, it will be apparent that the tap rod and closure memberare held together positively and are prevented from moving in either anaxial or a radial direction with respect to one another. The closuremember will therefore be maintained on the end of the tap rod, and itcannot free itself by vibrational movements or in any other accidentalmanner.

The upper ends of the latch members 56 constitute cam surfaces 65 whichoperate on opposed camming surfaces 61 provided in the body member I2 asshown in Fig. 6 for example. These two surfaces 61 are preferablyparallel or are slightly inclined relatively to the seat surface 3| ofthe body member. When the body member is forced upwardly, in its closingmovements, due to the annular projections 36 and 38, the upper cammingends of the latches 56 are forced against the downwardly facingcammingsurfaces 61 so that the latch members are compelled to move into theposition in which they are illustrated in Fig. 4. In this position theirlatching ends 63 are moved free of the tap rod, and as will be apparentthe release of the tap rod from the closure member 34 is effected duringthe final seating movements of the closure member, and at apredetermined time in its movementsso that there will be assurance thatthe container will be sealed before the tap rod can be withdrawn.

It will also now be obvious that the tap rod can be readily insertedinto the closure member throughthe bung body member l2 toeifect releaseof the closure member merely by rotational movementof the tap rodthrough about a quarter of a revolution. The initial movements of theclosure member, in effecting its release, causes the latches to move sothat they engage the tap rod before the closure member can be separatedor moved endwise, thus insuring the retention of the closure member onthe end of the tap rod until it is again timeto seal the containereither because the contents have been consumed, or in order to permittransportation of the partially consumed contents without losing thepressure existing in the container.

As will be obvious from the preceding description, the entire latchingconnection between the closure member and the tap rod is contained in ahoused location between the closure member and the side walls 3! of thebung body member. Thus a all of the operating parts are protected fromcon- The sealing washer 32 is also protected by the annular flange 69which surrounds the end wall 33 of the closure member.

The bottom of the closure member, being devoid of any obstructions andof substantially flat formation, gives a construction offering acomparatively large, flat area of contact with the bottom Wall of thekeg, thus preventing cracking of the pitch that is applied to the kegbottom, when the closure member is lowered on the end of the tap rod.

While the apparatus herein described constitutes a preferred embodimentof the invention, it is to be understood that the invention is notlimited to an apparatus for sealing beverages, as it could be used forsealing other kinds of containers, such as those employed for examplefor explosives or for edibles or where it is important to keep theinterior of an empty container in a clean condition, and changes may bemade therein without departing from the scope of the inven- Y tion whichis defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A device of the character described comprising, in combination, acontainer having a hung body provided with an axial passage therethroughand arranged substantially flush with the exterior surface of thecontainer, a closure member rotatably operable to sealing engagementwith a portion of said bung body so as to seal said passage at the innerend thereof and having a bayonet connection with the bung body, a taprod insertable through the passage of the bung body and having anon-circular portion interfitting with the closure member for rotationalmovement therewith, locking means mounted on said closure member forsecuring the closure member to the tap rod against relative axialmovement, said locking means and bung body having interengaging surfacesadapted to move the locking means into and out of engagement with thetap rod at a predetermined time in the rotational movements of theclosure member, said locking means positively holding the tap rod andclosure member together until the closure member is in position to sealthe passage through the bung body.

2. A device of the character described comprising, in combination, acontainer having a bung body provided with an axial passage therethroughand arranged substantially flush with the exterior surface of thecontainer, a closure member rotatably operable to seal said passage atthe inner end thereof and having a bayonet connection with the bungbody, said closure member having a substantially flat bottom and asubstantially radial passage close to said bottom, a tap rod insertablethrough the passage of the bung body and having a non-circular portioninterfitting with the closure member for rotational movement therewith,locking means mounted on said closure member for securing the closuremember to the tap rod against relative axial movement, said lockingmeans and bung body having interengaging surfaces adapted to move thelocking means into and out of engagement with the tap rod at apredetermined time in the rotational movements of the closure member,said locking means and interengaging surfaces being entirely housedwithin the bung body and closure means and said locking means positivelyholding the tap rod and closure member together until the closure memberis in position to seal the passage through the bung body.

3. A device of the character described comprising, in combination, abody member having a passage therethrough, a closure member rotatablyoperable to sealing engagement with a portion of said body member so asto seal said passage and separable in one direction from the portion ofthe body member it engages, a tap rod insertable in said directionthrough the passage in the body member and detachably engageable withsaid closure member, said tap rod having a portion interfitting withsaid closure member for positively transmitting rotation of said tap rodto the closure member, said closure member and said body member havingcooperating means for moving the closure member upon rotation of thelatter by the tap rod, into and out of engagement with said portion ofthe body member, and cooperating means on the tap rod and closure memberfor locking the tap rod and closure member together during the rotatablemovements of the closure member in its release from the body member.

4. A device of the character described comprising, in combination, abody member having a passage therethrough, a closure member operable tosealing engagement with a portion of said body member so as to seal saidpassage and separable in one direction from the portion of the bodymember it engages, a tap rod insertable in said direction through thepassage in the body member and detachably engageable with said closuremember, said closure member and body member having cooperating means fordetachably connecting the same together when the closure member is movedin one direction by said tap rod, and the closure member being operablein an opposite direction by the tap rod to release the closure memberfrom its connection with said body member, and cooperating means on thetap rod, closure member and body member for locking the tap rodpositively to the closure memher at a predetermined time during theinitial releasing movements of the closure member from the body member.

5. A device of the character described comprising, in combination, aclosed container having a body member provided with a passagetherethrough, a closure member operable to sealing engagement with aportion of said body member so as to seal said passage and separable inWardly into the container from the body member, a tap rod insertablethrough the passage in the body member into detachable engagement withsaid closure member, cooperating locking means on the tap rod andclosure member for locking the tap rod to the closure member, and meanson the body member for operating said locking means to substantially fixthe tap rod and closure member against relative movement in axialdirections during the movements of the closure member in its releasefrom the body member.

6. A device of the character described comprising, in combination, abody member having a passage therethrough, a closure member having abayonet connection with said body member and rotatably operable throughonly a part of a revolution to sealing engagement with a por tion ofsaid body member so as to seal said passage and separable in onedirection from the body member, a tap rod insertable through the passagein the body member and detachably engaging said closure member, said taprod and closure member having telescopically engaging non-circularportions for positively imparting rotational movements of the tap rod tothe closure member, and means for locking the tap rod and closure memberagainst relative axial movement.

'7. In a device of. the character described, a container having a hungbody portion provided with a passage therethrough, a closure memberrotatably operable to sealing engagement with a portion of said bodyportion to seal said passage, said closure member and body portionhaving cooperating means for moving the closure member upon rotation ofthe latter through only a portion of a revolution into and out ofengagement with said body portion, a tap rod insertable through thepassage in the bung body portion into engagement with said closuremember, a catch operably mounted on the closure member for locking thetap rod and closure member together, and cam means for operating saidcatch during the initial opening and final closing rotational movementsof the closure member.

8. In a device of the character described, a body member provided with apassage therethrough and having a seat, a closure member rotatablyoperable against said seat to seal said passage and separable in onedirection from said seat, a tap rod insertable through said passage andengaging said closure member, said closure member and tap rod havinginterfitting parts for positively transmitting rotational movements ofthe tap rod in either direction to the closure member, and means forlocking the tap rod to the closure member at a predetermined time in theopening movements of the closure member, said means being entirelyconcealed within the body member and the closure member.

9. A fitting of the character described comprising, a bung body havingan axial passage therethrough, a closure member operable to sealingengagement with a portion of said bung body so as to seal said passage,said bung body and closure member having cooperating means for engagingand releasing the same by rotational movements of the closure memberthrough only a portion of a revolution, said closure member having anon-circular portion adapted to interfit a non-circular portion of a taprod, locking means on the closure member for locking the same to the taprod at a predetermined time in the releasing movements of the closuremember, said bung body having a surface engageable with said lockingmeans to unlock the tap rod at the end of the engaging movements of theclosure member.

10. A device of the character described com.- prising, in combination, abody member having a passage therethrough, a closure member having abayonet connection with said body member and rotatably operable througha part of a revolution to sealing engagement with a portion of said bodymember so as to seal said passage and separable in one direction fromthe body member, a tap rod insertable through the passage in the bodymember and detachably engaging said closure member, said tap rod andclosure member having telescopically engaging non-circular portions forpositively imparting rotational movements of the tap rod to the closuremember, and spring pressed catch means pivotally mounted on said closuremember and engageable with side portions of the tap rod for locking thetap rod and closure member against relative axial movement.

' FRED M. SPAYD.

